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England Sees Record Physical Activity Levels
23 Apr
Summary
- Nearly two-thirds of adults meet physical activity recommendations.
- Older adults drive significant increase in regular exercise.
- Disparities in activity persist based on gender and socio-economics.
England has recorded its highest number of adults regularly participating in physical activity, according to a national survey. Almost two-thirds of individuals aged 16 and over are now meeting the NHS recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly.
The surge is particularly notable among older adults, with substantial increases in activity among those aged 55-74 and over 75 compared to data from 2015/16. Overall, 30.9 million adults are now active, an increase of 859,000 from the previous year.
Despite this positive trend, the latest Active Lives Adult Survey reveals persistent inequalities. Men remain more active than women, and significant differences exist based on ethnicity and socio-economic background. Sport England and the government are investing £250 million and £400 million respectively to improve access to sports facilities across communities.
